Characters-The main characters in action/comedy films tend to be male,

sometimes a double act but not always and are usually the comical character,

who is seen as ‘the good guy’ and saves people throughout the film. This is so

the audience takes a liking to these characters therefore the audience are on

their side.

There also tends to be a person jealous of the main character and seen as ‘the bad guy who tries to stop the main character from their mission or whatever action aspect of the film the main character is (Usually a mission.)

Finally, in action/comedy films, There is usually a pair of comical c characters to give the film the comical l element.

Iconography- typical action/comedy films

include lots of danger which might include big

explosions, weapons (guns) and chases. All these

show excitement and adrenaline to make the action

genre clear.

Spies, agents or detectives might also be in a

action/comedy films to gives the film a b

better sense of action.

The thing that really gives the film the comical element is usually the

characters. In particular the main characters, whose personality is usually out

going and clumsy which makes the audience laugh and enjoy it as well as so

much action going on as well

CONNOTATIONS OF ACTION/COMEDY FILMS:

Johnny English

(2003)

21 Jump Street

(2012)

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Paul

(2011)

The Spy Next Door

(2010)

Knight and

Day (2010)

Johnny English.

(2003)

The Pink Panther

(2006)

The Pink Panther

(2006)

Johnny English.

(2003)

Mise-en-Scene-

Narration- Narration can happen quite frequently in action/comedy. It

keeps the audience interested and helps them to understand what is

happening. It can also add to the comedy element because with a voice over

(narration) thoughts can be transported to the audience so what isn’t said out

load can be said in a narration. This can be funny because it might be to rude

or offensive to say out load or what you see on the screen might not be what

they are thinking so by knowing what they are truthfully thinking can be

amusing for the audience.

Narration can also be used to show the audience quickly what has happened

before or explaining someone’s life/ experiences.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRFOep5Z11M

Lighting- usually low key if its and

intense moment for example to

signify danger but because there’s a

comedy aspect to it, it can also be

high lighting.

High keys lighting.

Actors-two sides, hero and villains.

Main character tends to be clumsy

and funny with a smarter, more

intelligent sidekick. Villains tend to

be jealous of the

main character.

Make-Up-in action/comedy films,

not much make-up is used. Only

when there are women then their

make-up tends to be over the top.

(dark eye shadow,

red lipstick)

Props- Lots of weapons, mainly

guns to represent danger and

excitement which are all

connotations

of an action

film.

Setting-In

action/comedy films,

there tends to be an

urban setting where

lots is going on. It

could also be a busy

village like in Hot Fuzz

but usually in a town

and city.

Costume- Smart,

official clothing (suits)

for the men.

Sexy, black

tight clothing,

connoting that they

are official at good at

what they do

for women.

Hot Fuzz (2007)

Themes- In action/comedy films, themes tend to be based around the main

character. The main character might be a detective, policeman, secret agent,

spy or superhero to give the film loads of action but also include humorous

moments within the film with the clumsy characters.

Usually, the basic storyline of these films would be the main character being

the hero and the jealous character being the villain. The hero will have

something to do (like a mission) and the villain will try to stop them so they get

the glory.

Sound-Alot of non-diegetic music throughout action/comedy films, usually

action music to get adrenaline running and keeping the audience’s attention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiLh-oKv8Ac- (Hot Fuzz Action Scene)

To get the comedy element, the characters might have funny ascents which

makes the film more humorous and makes the audience laugh for example in

The pink panther, Inspector Clouseau has a French ascent so he can’t

pronounce English words properly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jrSgihO0mM&feature=fvst- (The Pink

Panther)

Camera/Editing- in Action/Comedy films, quite a lot of tracking shots are

used to follow something that might be important or to help capture the action

moments for example chase tracking shots might be used to keep up.

Editing also links in with this because fast cuts would be used to capture the

chaos and excitement in an action moment which gets the audiences

adrenaline going and keeps them hooked on

what’s happening.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJtq2JvBDjk

Johnny English

(2003) The Pink Panther

(2006)

21 Jump Street

(2012)